Guzzi is the winner: made in Italy, shaft drive, rare on the road, great sound (non stock), brembo brakes, traction control, air cooled, easy maintenance, huge tank, clunky and perfectly imperfect.
Currently own a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 cc that I have had for 20 years. Once took me 120 miles on one cylinder at highway speed when one spark plug wire crapped out on a Sunday morning with no shops open. At almost 70 years old it has gotten too heavy to maneuver in and out of situations. Purchased a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone at more than 100 pounds less wet weight. Absolutely love it. Will stay with Moto Guzzi for the rest of my riding life. I have owned BMW, Laverda, Ducati, Moto Morini, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Indian, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Cagiva and loved them all for different reasons, but the fact that I can physically handle the weight of a bike that will cruise (illegally) at 85-90 mph for as long as I need, looks good, is reliable and affordable and unique, why shop anywhere else?- -Mike Battle
1972 Kawasaki bring out the Z1 ,the British bike industry curls up and dies . 2017 Kawasaki bring out the Z900RS anything else is less . All them RE fans boys will be howling at you dave ,well here's something to make them howl again MotoGB are punting them little 350's out from £3000 and 650's from £5000.
A thought provoking video or just an excuse for me to "get out of my pram"? The term "Modern Classic", surely an Oxymoron, refers to a style of motorcycle built between 1955 and 1965, an 'old look' with 'modern' parts. The T100, and the BSA are deliberately made to a style that will grab a market share of old men looking for their youth. The BSA is the worst offender with the T100 a close second. The Enfield is well made for it's price, but spoiled by having skimpy mudguards, spoke wheels with ( dangerous) tubed tyres and poorly positioned footrests. The Moto Guzzi V7 stone is almost unchanged since it was first launched back in the sixties. It is not a 'modern classic'. Moto Guzzi have just kept on making and gradually improving them. Air cooled, HO, two valve twin with shaft drive. Disc brakes, alloy wheels and ABS for safety, Fuel injection and can bus electronics with all round LED lights for economy. I have a V7 because I can get on its low flat seat with my old legs and worn out hips. It's well made and a joy to ride and quirky enough to not be 'run of the mill'. It shakes and vibrates and takes ten miles to warm up the gearbox enough to make neutral accessible. They say it will feel much better when it has 10000 on the clock. So far with 2700 miles it gets better every time I ride it. Perfect? No. A fenda extenda on the front helped but the rear end gets proper filthy. MUDGUARDS , I say, we needs better mudguards.
I have to disagree with you Dave when you say the Bonneville is not significantly more powerful than the Interceptor or BSA. The T100 puts out around 65hp which is pretty much the same as the Guzzi but it puts out 80nm of torque which is sinificantly more than the Guzzi. For me the Bonneville is in a completely different league to the RE or BSA and to be honest I was massively dissapointed in the BSA it was so poorly finished and just looked cobbled together but each to their own.
I'm lucky to have Guzzi V7 and Bonnie T120 (Both 2023). Guzzi is everyday bike, Bonnie for weekends. Love them both, but let's be serious: T120 is way better bike: better engine, smoother, much better brakes, gearbox, suspension, comfort and top top quality. Guzzi is more agile, has better lights and shaft drive - so for me a bit better for everyday use in the city. But when I get on Bonnie in weekend immediately see the difference and smell of premium bike. Both are beautiful and for me essence of motorcycling. Just enjoying them both!
My vote would be the V7. It has longevity as a result of engineering integrity, which gives it more legitimacy in my eyes, than being a style throwback for fashion reasons. The engine configuration means you can access the cylinder heads easily without taking the tank off and lends itself to air even cooling (unlike in line Vs), adding to the simplicity. It also means there's space for a huge 21 litre fuel tank and there's no chain maintenance due to the shaft drive. The bench(ish) seat means all day comfort for a wide range of heights. It has really been thought through as a useable and versatile tool, which will last a lifetime. That to me is real quality.
i thought 100 percent guzzi,, just shows how you cannot feel what other people feel ,, so i was wrong o dear ,,,, i do not own a guzzi but have ridden them a long time ago , which leads me on to say that moto guzzi's are still made in the original factory and follow closely the older models - which makes them the most authentic modern classic bikes but this is not true because they were always this way ;;;;;
And the winner is…whichever one I’m riding. But many thanks for going out on that preverbal limb. I have a 2013 bmw 1200rt and looking for a smaller daily runner in this category. 👍👍👍
I keep looking, I keep thinking. I watch stuff like this, (excellent BTW) Ive gone on test rides on a couple of the new retros..and then I go out on my 1972 T120V. Damn near perfect
When l bought a new Honda l didn't care if it had a warranty. Bought 3 brand new ones ,never had a problem. Until the day they died . All of my bikes are used so there's no warranty. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 miles on her. l have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. Quality lasts the test of time.
I'm from the wilds of Northumberland. I rode and then bought my red and chrome Classic 350 from Eddys last year. I must have a ride out and pay a return visit to Eddys soon.
Having ridden most bikes large and small over my 55 years of riding i finally go myself my dream bike and got a 2004 Triumph Bonneville 790cc this model had the bigger cams and with the pipes and the carbs done it is pumping out 65 hp do like the Guzzi though very good bikes mate
Guzzi is the winner: made in Italy, shaft drive, rare on the road, great sound (non stock), brembo brakes, traction control, air cooled, easy maintenance, huge tank, clunky and perfectly imperfect.
Currently own a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 cc that I have had for 20 years. Once took me 120 miles on one cylinder at highway speed when one spark plug wire crapped out on a Sunday morning with no shops open. At almost 70 years old it has gotten too heavy to maneuver in and out of situations. Purchased a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone at more than 100 pounds less wet weight. Absolutely love it. Will stay with Moto Guzzi for the rest of my riding life. I have owned BMW, Laverda, Ducati, Moto Morini, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Indian, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Cagiva and loved them all for different reasons, but the fact that I can physically handle the weight of a bike that will cruise (illegally) at 85-90 mph for as long as I need, looks good, is reliable and affordable and unique, why shop anywhere else?- -Mike Battle
1972 Kawasaki bring out the Z1 ,the British bike industry curls up and dies . 2017 Kawasaki bring out the Z900RS anything else is less . All them RE fans boys will be howling at you dave ,well here's something to make them howl again MotoGB are punting them little 350's out from £3000 and 650's from £5000.
Nah, I'll stick with the 78 Bonneville and 80 GS550. No depreciation, no road tax, no MOT, simple maintenance, and still put a big smile on my face.
A thought provoking video or just an excuse for me to "get out of my pram"? The term "Modern Classic", surely an Oxymoron, refers to a style of motorcycle built between 1955 and 1965, an 'old look' with 'modern' parts. The T100, and the BSA are deliberately made to a style that will grab a market share of old men looking for their youth. The BSA is the worst offender with the T100 a close second. The Enfield is well made for it's price, but spoiled by having skimpy mudguards, spoke wheels with ( dangerous) tubed tyres and poorly positioned footrests. The Moto Guzzi V7 stone is almost unchanged since it was first launched back in the sixties. It is not a 'modern classic'. Moto Guzzi have just kept on making and gradually improving them. Air cooled, HO, two valve twin with shaft drive. Disc brakes, alloy wheels and ABS for safety, Fuel injection and can bus electronics with all round LED lights for economy. I have a V7 because I can get on its low flat seat with my old legs and worn out hips. It's well made and a joy to ride and quirky enough to not be 'run of the mill'. It shakes and vibrates and takes ten miles to warm up the gearbox enough to make neutral accessible. They say it will feel much better when it has 10000 on the clock. So far with 2700 miles it gets better every time I ride it. Perfect? No. A fenda extenda on the front helped but the rear end gets proper filthy. MUDGUARDS , I say, we needs better mudguards.
I have to disagree with you Dave when you say the Bonneville is not significantly more powerful than the Interceptor or BSA. The T100 puts out around 65hp which is pretty much the same as the Guzzi but it puts out 80nm of torque which is sinificantly more than the Guzzi. For me the Bonneville is in a completely different league to the RE or BSA and to be honest I was massively dissapointed in the BSA it was so poorly finished and just looked cobbled together but each to their own.
I'm lucky to have Guzzi V7 and Bonnie T120 (Both 2023). Guzzi is everyday bike, Bonnie for weekends. Love them both, but let's be serious: T120 is way better bike: better engine, smoother, much better brakes, gearbox, suspension, comfort and top top quality. Guzzi is more agile, has better lights and shaft drive - so for me a bit better for everyday use in the city. But when I get on Bonnie in weekend immediately see the difference and smell of premium bike. Both are beautiful and for me essence of motorcycling. Just enjoying them both!
My vote would be the V7. It has longevity as a result of engineering integrity, which gives it more legitimacy in my eyes, than being a style throwback for fashion reasons. The engine configuration means you can access the cylinder heads easily without taking the tank off and lends itself to air even cooling (unlike in line Vs), adding to the simplicity. It also means there's space for a huge 21 litre fuel tank and there's no chain maintenance due to the shaft drive. The bench(ish) seat means all day comfort for a wide range of heights. It has really been thought through as a useable and versatile tool, which will last a lifetime. That to me is real quality.
i thought 100 percent guzzi,, just shows how you cannot feel what other people feel ,, so i was wrong o dear ,,,, i do not own a guzzi but have ridden them a long time ago , which leads me on to say that moto guzzi's are still made in the original factory and follow closely the older models - which makes them the most authentic modern classic bikes but this is not true because they were always this way ;;;;;
The T100 has 65 horses! Nice one to watch!
I think we motorcyclists are lucky to have so many great bikes to choose from in the modern classic category.
Interceptor best classic looks and ANALOG GUAGES should be a must for these!
Bought this bike. Less than 2 weeks ago. Done 660 miles
And the winner is…whichever one I’m riding. But many thanks for going out on that preverbal limb. I have a 2013 bmw 1200rt and looking for a smaller daily runner in this category. 👍👍👍
I keep looking, I keep thinking. I watch stuff like this, (excellent BTW) Ive gone on test rides on a couple of the new retros..and then I go out on my 1972 T120V. Damn near perfect
When l bought a new Honda l didn't care if it had a warranty. Bought 3 brand new ones ,never had a problem. Until the day they died . All of my bikes are used so there's no warranty. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 miles on her. l have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. Quality lasts the test of time.
TBW, be ready for a bit of flaming 🔥😉
I'm from the wilds of Northumberland. I rode and then bought my red and chrome Classic 350 from Eddys last year. I must have a ride out and pay a return visit to Eddys soon.
Love the guzzi. Also consider the kawasaki w800.
Having ridden most bikes large and small over my 55 years of riding i finally go myself my dream bike and got a 2004 Triumph Bonneville 790cc this model had the bigger cams and with the pipes and the carbs done it is pumping out 65 hp do like the Guzzi though very good bikes mate